Police Log for Nov. 23

Police Log for November 23

Information is sought in J Street Bar robbery

Hagerstown City Police are looking for information about a man who robbed another man at gunpoint Wednesday night at the J Street Bar.

After the robbery, the victim walked outside the 318 N. Jonathan St. bar, and gunfire was exchanged, Lt. Rick Johnson said. The bullets did not hit anyone.

Police were still looking Thursday for the robber, who goes by the street name "GB," Johnson said.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the incident is asked to call detectives Carroll Braun or Bill Rourke at 301-790-3700 (extension 234).

The victim, Joel Vincant Smith, 28, of 46 N. 40th St. in Fort Pierce, Fla., was charged with discharging a firearm in the city limits and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, police said.

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Smith was released Thursday on $10,000 bond, police said.

Smith and his cousin, whose name was not available, were in the bar having a drink Wednesday night, police said.

Around 8:30 p.m., the suspect came up to Smith's right side and placed a large, framed silver semi-automatic handgun to Smith's head and said, "let me get that," police said.

Smith and his cousin emptied $230 from their pockets and the robber took the money, police said. The robber left the bar with several other men.

When Smith left the bar, the robber was about 10 feet to Smith's left, police said. Police said the robber fired shots at Smith, who fell to the ground.

Smith was not hit, but cut his hand when he discharged a 9 mm handgun, police said. Smith was not taken to the hospital.

- Julie E. Greene

Accidental shooting was related to hunting

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Someone was accidentally shot in a hunting-related incident off Grapevine Road southeast of Martinsburg on Thursday morning, according to Berkeley County Emergency Services.

The person was shot in the lower leg or foot before 10 a.m. and taken to City Hospital, according to a 911 dispatcher and the Baker Heights Volunteer Fire Department.

Since the shooting was accidental no police were dispatched to the scene. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources responded, but officials could not be reached Thursday for further information.

Pickup truck overturns along Interstate 70

BEAVER CREEK - A pickup truck pulling a small utility trailer overturned along Interstate 70 east of Md. 66 on Thursday afternoon, Maryland State Police said.

No one was injured, and the accident did not close the interstate, police said.

The driver, from Illinois, lost control of the pickup truck coming westbound down the mountain at 1:22 p.m., police said.